NetFlix for Cars? – Introducing BOOK by Cadillac, a Bold New Luxury Vehicle Subscription Model (Cadillac.com)

Cadillac is continuing to push the boundaries of the driving experience with a first-of-its kind luxury vehicle subscription service, BOOK by Cadillac. For a flat monthly fee, BOOK by Cadillac gives members access to popular Cadillac vehicles without the commitment of leasing, financing or buying.

“BOOK by Cadillac is an innovative new option targeted at a growing class of luxury drivers searching for access to various cars over time, dependent on their individual needs, coupled with a hassle-free white-glove exchange,” said Uwe Ellinghaus, Cadillac chief marketing officer.

As the world’s population in urban areas continues to grow, so does the need for more intelligent sources of transportation beyond the traditional vehicle. To tackle the issue, Ford Motor Co. is seeking alternatives to driving to work through its newly formed subsidiary Ford Smart Mobility LLC, which is operating in Palo Alto, California, and Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford Smart Mobility plans to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and data and analytics. But why would a company whose principal business is manufacturing cars and trucks take on a business that seemingly conflicts with its own profit center? “It’s not about moving from an old business to a new business. It’s moving to a bigger business,” Ford Chief Executive Mark Fields told Automotive News.

[…] Jessica Robinson, director of City Solutions (Ford Smart Mobility) at Ford, oversees identifying new and future mobility solutions for the company. By using cloud and big data — along with information gathered from working with elected officials, transportation managers, universities and business stakeholders — Robinson is trying to relieve the pain points of urban drivers by enabling Ford Smart Mobility to find solutions.

Volvo and UberEats want to bring you dinner in the backseat of an XC90 (Digital Trends)

The hottest new restaurant in Japan? The back seat of a Volvo.

Alright, “hottest” may be an exaggeration, as its unclear what kind of clientele Volvo and UberEats are trying to attract with a new partnership that brings a restaurant (or rather, several restaurants) to the back of a car. It’s called the “All-Star Restaurant,” and Autoblog describes it as “a rolling buffet of the best the city has to offer.”